What speakers to buy

ravaneli

I will bet 1000 dollars in 10 to 1 ratio that if the choice were only between 440 and 330, the 440 will sound better and the risk of damaging them with that amp is about zero, even if you push it a little. 440 is the better speaker even without the higher power handling.

The only thing to consider here is that 440 are in a price range where they begin to compete with some pretty nice speakers. If you shop around you can find A5s at a price that is pretty close and I would personally go with RtiA over monitor. But that is a slippery slope : )

polrbehr

cnh wrote: »

I'll tell you what your amp can drive and will actually sound good. A pair of Polk LSi-7 bookies. Throw a sub into the mix and you're good. The Vifa tweeter in that series is an almost "perfect" match for the sound signature the Yamaha puts out. It draws the highs out more. I've heard this combo and was pleasantly surprised.

BTW that Yamaha has a 4 ohm switch on its backside which can be engaged for the above speakers.

But it sounds like you really want to go towers. If so the Rti-A5s would do you!

Nice to see Ravioli back in action! Things have been quiet around here for a while, don't you think?

Enjoy!

cnh

+ 1 to the LSi7s as a good choice for music, they are excellent speakers for their size. Maybe even a used set of 9s?

mr2686

I've listened to all of the TSX speakers, and I must say that the 440's were the only ones I really didn't like. I must have played 12 different songs on them (along with the 330's and 550's) and for some reason the vocals seemed to get lost at times. 330's were pretty good, 550's very nice, and the RTI line is much better.

kon

well okay you have me convinced on just saving up for the RTI line, I dont want to regret my choice and get the upgrade itch in a year or so. Now to decide on which one..maybe i have a retailer near me that i can listen to them. I dont know anyone with these speakers.

mr2686

Kon, here's where the slope is on the RTI/RTIa line. For towers, if you have a good sub and don't have any interest in adding and additional amp, then the RTI8/RTIa5's will make you very happy. You'll get more bass as you go up the line (RTI10/RTIa7 and then RTI12/RTIa9) but you'll need to push more power to them to really open them up). That's not to say they won't sound good with less power and a good sub, but you're probably wasting money if you're not planning on that extra amp and you already have a good sub. Lastly, don't let anyone try to tell you that this line is designed mainly for HT, because it is GREAT for music. Geoff and I compare notes all the time on how great different music is, and both of our music collections have grown since owning them (me the RTI8's and him the RTIa9's). Good luck, and remember, it's only a good speaker if you like the way it sounds.

drummer86

mr2686 wrote: »

Good luck, and remember, it's only a good speaker if you like the way it sounds.

You better start charging for advice that good. Can't keep giving it away for free.

mr2686

Lol!!

Geoff4rfc

mr2686 wrote: »

Geoff and I compare notes all the time on how great different music is.

I was supposed to be taking notes? Dammit Mike, why didn't you tell me???

mr2686 wrote: »

and remember, it's only a good speaker if you like the way it sounds.

Now that....is a profound statement!!

Erik Tracy

Here is a picture of a tweeter I burnt out in the early 80's.


You can see the conductive elements burnt off the tweeter membrane.

It is an EMIT tweeter from an Infinity Quantum Jr speaker. 89db efficiency, 4 ohm, 25-200Watt rating.

Driven by a Sansui 6060 Receiver, 44watts/channel into 8 ohms.

In fact this was the third tweeter I blew in my quest to recreate the sound levels of Who concert.

The Sansui was 'underpowered' in relation to the speaker connected and the volume setting sending into clipping - which burnt out the tweeter.

When I had enough money to get a better amp - Kenwood KA9100 90watts-8ohms, 110watts-4ohms, dual channel power supply - then, there were no more blown tweeters.

The Kenwood provided more power output, had more dynamic power reserves, and did not go into clipping when I turned the volume up to 'stupid'.

Speakers...especially tweeters can and are (see picture) damaged when an amp is driven into clipping...it isn't on-line speculation or theorizing.

I tend to give credence to the position that clipping produces a situation where the overall audio waveform has high frequency harmonics with additive power components that do overdrive the tweeter element resulting in burn out. But the prime cause of this is the user asking the amp to provide more un-clipped "clean" power than it is capable of.

Power is your friend, clipping is evil.

mr2686

Geoff4rfc wrote: »

I was supposed to be taking notes? Dammit Mike, why didn't you tell me???

There's going to be a test later. LOL.

cfrizz

mr2686 wrote: »

There's going to be a test later. LOL.

Please note that Nbrowser does NOT need to take this test, he has already passed with flying colors!!!

nbrowser wrote: »

This is the same thing my girlfriend found out with my HK 3490 receiver and my RTiA7s, the receiver, 120wpc X2 8 Ohm high current power, she managed to square wave the tweeters and well, they were kaput. 2 days later I bring home the Parasound HCA-1200II, 205wpc X2 8 Ohm higher current power. Not only is it harder to clip, the dynamic headroom is amazing, simply stunning. Do I lust for more power now? I'd have to answer that with a quantitative YES. The cleaner the power you can push to a speaker, the more likely it won't burn out from being underpowered.

kon

Thanks for all the advice and comments, I currently have my eye on the RTI8's on ebay polk direct. 400 bucks for a pair.. seems to good of a deal to pass up!